FORTALEZA, July 16  /ITAR-TASS/. The leaders of the BRICS countries, namely Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, have expressed serious concern over the situation in Ukraine and called for a peaceful settlement of the conflict in that country.

“We express our deep concern with the situation in Ukraine. We call for a comprehensive dialogue, the de-escalation of the conflict and restraint from all the actors involved, with a view to finding a peaceful political solution, in full compliance with the UN Charter and universally recognized human rights and fundamental freedoms,” the leaders said in a declaration adopted on Tuesday at their summit meeting in the Brazilian city of Fortaleza.